Author's Note: After weeks of reading amazing fanfictions out here, I decided to hop on the fanfiction writing train as well. I haven't written stories in a long time so please bear with me.
I decided to merge the first two chapters into one, it makes for a better flow in the story (for now)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the amazing X-men universe...it's just my interpretation on what happened in the movie with an AU twist to it
Often described as the opposite of déjà vu, jamais vu involves a sense of eeriness and the observer's impression of seeing the situation for the first time, despite rationally knowing that he or she has been in the situation before.
Jamais Vu, that is how psychology described the scene that was unfolding itself before Charles Xavier's eyes. A group of mutants staring at a large mansion, his mansion, almost the same way as they had a couple of months ago. They had been here before, the same group, at the same mansion..heck, they were even standing on the same spot as the last time. Yet so much had changed. Wariness had replaced the anticipation of saving the world and hopes and dreams had turned into disappointment and anger. Strong bonds of friendship had been cut into thin threads but were, thank God, not completely severed. The children had lost their innocence, just as he had.
He looked at the rest of their group. At Alex, who had his arms crossed before his chest, his tensed muscles betraying his nervousness of what was to come. His blue eyes flickered from one to the other, waiting for someone to speak.
Charles looked at Raven who was watching him expectantly. Her yellow eyes were shimmering with tears. She looked so lost, very much like the first time he encountered her in his kitchen trying to steal food.
His eyes drifted over to Erik who stood slightly apart from everyone else. His grey eyes were hard as stone and a grim smile was etched in his face. Much had been said and even more had been done. Their different views had almost torn them apart in their confrontation on the Cuban beach. Charles foresaw a continuous struggle between them to find a common middle ground, yet he wouldn't want it to be any different. Their eyes met and Erik gave him a short nod to continue. Whatever had to be said to one and another could wait till a later moment in time.
Charles' gaze moved to the giant satellite dish and he sighed inwardly at the thought of the long road ahead of them. There was so much to think about, so much to plan and still so much to learn.
A sharp intake of breath got him out of his reverie and made him turn his attention to Hank who was supporting an unusual pale Sean. His demeanour had changed from the confident Beast in battle to the shy scientist of before, another issue that had to be taken care of in due time.
The telepath saw Sean grimace in pain. The teenager had bruised several ribs during his 'ungraceful landing' on the beach. Charles' lips formed into a faintest of smiles when he noticed himself quoting the boy.
"So, I guess it's back to being yours again then" Said young mutant broke the silence they had been standing in.
"No, it's still ours" Charles replied and pulled Raven closer. Her blue scales felt a tad foreign against his hands but that didn't stop him from pressing a comforting kiss on her red hair "From now on this will be a home for anyone who needs one" he felt his voice falter "and we must prepare it as such for God knows what times we face."
Suddenly Charles grinned widely at the anticipation of a new project and pulled Raven towards the front door. He searched his pockets for the key and opened it with a forceful push.
"Welcome home"
Later that night when all was dark and quiet, a soft flicker of light shone into the abandoned hallway from underneath a door. Everyone was asleep, except for the two men inside that were sitting opposite each other, the air filled with contemplation and unspoken words. A chess board was placed on the table between them but neither paid much attention to the game. They were studying each other. Not in the familiar way of trying to figure out the other's next move, but gauging on what the other would say. Bright blue eyes invited hard grey eyes to speak but the grey eyes waited knowingly until the other would speak, knowing that the person could not hold his silence for long. There wasn't much noise, the only sounds came from chess pieces being moved on the board and the fabric of the men's clothes against the leather chairs as either of them shifted in position.
"Check" A single word broke the silence and a sharp smile joined the grey eyes in the same face "Where is your head tonight, Charles?"
"Chess" was the short answer of the blue eyed man as he moved his king to safety "a wonderful game."
Erik leant back in his chair and raised an inquiring eyebrow. Charles never stated the obvious without apparent reason.
"Someone once said that chess is life and that every game is a new one" Charles continued, their game momentarily forgotten as he too settled back in his chair "Every player gets to live many lives in their lifetime."
"Life is nothing more than a simultaneous chess exhibition played against the grandmaster called Fate" Erik replied evenly "A grandmaster that does not deal out equal blows to all contestants."
They resumed their game for a little while before Charles, never good at keeping silent when something had to be said, spoke up again "What will your next game be?"
Erik looked up "The one after this most likely" he said after a short pause "if not, the one we'll be playing tomorrow." His tone was teasing and a fond gleam reached his eyes when he saw a hint of annoyance flicker over the telepath's face.
"My friend, you know you finished your last game in a submarine on a Cuban beach." Charles leant forward, resting his arms on his legs. He looked at the man in front of him, a man who he, despite everything, still called his friend. The man who had driven a coin through his head and who had stopped missiles in mid-air. The friend he had tackled into the sand, trying to knock some sense into him because beneath all the hatred, there was still a gleam of goodness. The friend that had knocked him out instead because in that moment the hatred had won. "Will you play the next game with or without us?"
Tension now hung in the room and Charles sat back again as if Erik's unseeing eyes pushed him backwards. He knew that look, the look where his friend was trapped in his past. Even though Erik had defeated his worst demon, there were still so many wounds that needed to heal. Charles felt the inner struggle ruled by a deep hatred of humans that were once again threatening his people. But below that hatred, he could also feel fierce determination to protect their kind. And plans, there were plans on how to proceed. Half finished at best, but nonetheless plans. Some of them included Charles and the others but many more did not and it hurt him deeply.
"A game of chess does not compare to a real war" Erik spoke slowly and focused his eyes on Charles' again "After each side put up their pieces and made their opening move, there will be victims. The first to go will be the pawns because they are helpless; the children and the old. Then the other pieces..the knights, bishops and rooks. Their survival depends on their skills and organisation. They might put up a fight, but they won't last against a real government crackdown. After that, they will go after the kings and queens; for Raven, the boys and us" Erik paused and folded his hands "It will all be real, Charles. Every piece you fail to save on the board will be a dead mutant. Words won't stop them, they know what we are capable of. A peaceful approach will not work.."
A heavy silence struck the room as Charles was contemplating Erik's words. The metalbender could see him think, see him try to digest the bitter words he had just heard. They clashed with everything the other man believed in.
"We must fight fire with fire, there is no other way" Erik stood up and looked down at Charles, his best friend, brother and only equal "The question is whether you are willing to play the game with me, or that you rather face this chess master from two separate boards." With only a few long strides Erik was at the door and turned around for a last time before exiting "Remember Charles, chess is a ruthless game in which people have to be killed and minds have to be crushed so that one side can win."
AN: Thank you for reading this far. I would love to hear your opinions on this piece and receive some constructive criticism on how to improve! And I'm always open for ideas and suggestions of what to write about so let's get my inspiration flowing ^^
Have a wonderful weekend!